Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-07-23
CAUGHT In HIS OWN SNARE

St cOISiuelcu worthy OF the commence oil
various members of the family group.
The following story, told to Inc at that
time, i true one, which ! am at liberty
to give to the public
was but stripping, about the age of
"A, said the narrator, when | was sent to
the far West to regain health and strength
by change Of climate ! was sent to the
home of an uncle who had made fortune
in one Of the mining regions of Colorado
As years passed on health returned, and
though mining was not to my taste-my
proclivities being for things above ground
j permitted the money-getting instinct
10 obtain possession of me, the result of
which was that ! found myself, during
life's first quarter, the fortunate possessor
Of more capital than many have in their
last.
Ny good uncle, as time passed on, de
sired me to cast in my lot with him,
promised to make me his heir; but the
East, where lived my mother and sister
had more of an attraction for me than his
prospective millions besides. | was toler-
ably sure of them any way. | had but
little doubt that my mother, his only sister.
who lived in 4 small cottage near the out
skirts of Albany, would prevail upon him
to forsake his lonely life, and that eventu-
ally he might make one of the home
group, who would love him Just as much
without his nuggets as with them; and it
was fact that twenty years of mining life
had not dried up the channels of natural
affection with him, nor turned them aside
from legitimate objects.
1t was perhaps owing to his rich nature,
as well as his frank companionship, that |
had held aloof from the rougher forms Of
camp life and had retained my veneration
for the Bible and for woman; that / had
not felt like sitting in judgment upon the
Supreme Being for His methods of govern
ment, nor as yet attempted to reason Him
out Of existence.
Speeding along towards home, could
not but feel sense Of exultation in nv
superb physical development and also my
mental peace, for it is only when the soul
nirrand can be attained Doubt is a Me-
dusa's head that interposes its serpent eyes
constantly between lis and happiness. How
would my mother and Mary welcome
the wanderer? Mary was but little girl
when | went away. Now she was a woman
grown, she should have taste of life's
pleasures, and my mother, dear soul, has
done her last stroke of hard work.
The journey proved 4 most uneventful
one until within a few hundred miles from
home. From city in western New York
(Which shall be nameless) to my destina-
lion, Albany, the fates made up for their
delay by weaving about me such net
work Of romance that its tolls have held
me ever since. l owe ii all to a broken
car-wheel. This ANNOYING accident de
layed us considerably, as our train had to
rest on q side track for the passage of the
lightning express then we were removed
from the disabled car and crowded to-
gether in the other three, until changes
could be made.
This change brought me standing near a
seat which a young lady occupied alone,
but my natural timidity hindered me from
soliciting portion of it, until l observed
that she gave q peculiarly feminine but
graceful invitation for me to be seated, by
gathering together the loose folds of her
dress, without, however, so much as a
glance in my direction. | accepted the in
vitation SO modestly given and thanked
her, but did net presume upon the courtesy
by addressing her, though not motion of
head or hand or shoulder escaped me. for
she was singularly attractive | could
pursue my study in the mirror ahead of us
for | dared not be obtrusive enough to
turn and face her. Once or twice she
glanced into the mirror also, but then, of
course, my glance was toward the other
passengers or out ut the darkening land
scape. | should bc careful not to make
her regret her courtesy
As the shadows deepcned, her silence
became little embarrassing. We had
passed safely through what might have
been a terrible accident Might she not.
at least, recognize that We had escaped
from common peril? But it was plainly
not my place 10 speak first.
This plan presented Itself to ne. ]
would step into a smoking-car for short
time. Other cars had now been attached I;
there WAS an abundance of room, and had
really no excuse for crowdiug her.
might find her traveling-bag or her
shawl in the place / had left when came
back, and ! could take hint. If she de-
sired to free herself from intrusion, here
would be her opportunity. Apparently a
nights ride was before us without the con-
venience Of sleepers, for the car was one
which usually went through in the dav-
time. Il cost me a good dead Of selfdeniaI
to make this strategic move. bat 1t might
bre9k the silence, at all events. if the seat
should be vacant on my return. With
chagrin found that my plan had worked
against me. An elderly man with flow
xrl,5fs 49, /
l found place directly behind them.
She had been a. the lookout for me, for
she then said, turning to me with much
sweetness:
Ii l had not thought you had left the
car, | should have tried to keep Your seat
for You"
Could he sit still after that F.?
| had serious thoughts of eiecting the
old man or asking him to change places.
and | mentally decried him for a deaf
mute, that he did not at once see that We
were acquaintance, and allow me the
place at her side. But he was marble.
| however followed up my advantage by
offering her paper, and then feasting my
eyes upon her profile for the next 80 miles.
The aged man asked her if he might
look at the paper, after she had folded it
up is she was ABOUT to hand 1t back over
the seat. She questioned me with her
eyes before she gave it, and answered bv
nod. 1t seemed atacit recognition of my
proPrietorship in the sheet, and her desire
TO consult me. | liked her ways.
lie began to make talk Her answers
were monosyllabic
What do you think OF this for nice
fur = he asked, stroking fur cape which
| had not seen before.
She did not venture an opinion upon the
fur. Yet his years and gray hair entitled
him TO civility
There, draw your fingers through it.
Wouldn't that make nice mut. now ?g
presume So" she said, with a sup
pressed yawn. She had not touched the
cap.
81 brought that from Alaska with me.
No such fur to be had in this region" He
went on then and gave her a treatise upon
Alaska, revealing the fact Tor fvtion) that
he had been a missionary there, after
which she seemed to fear him less, but still
kept her own lips mostly sealed It was
ene-sided conversation.
After a while she turned away, very
much wearied, aud glanced ont az tho win